Decades ago, when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni first visited Nakasongola, the district had a small population plagued by preventable diseases and few opportunities.
Speaking to thousands of residents at Wabinyonyi Playground on December 30, he reflected on that past to highlight how stability, equality, and purposeful leadership have dramatically improved the lives of the Abaruuli community.
Joined by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President used the Nakasongola rally to underscore the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) dedication to inclusivity, wealth creation, and ongoing development as the country approaches the 2026 general elections.
“I always feel joyful and thankful to God whenever I visit Nakasongola because of the visible progress,” Museveni stated.
“Back then, the population was just 50,000. Now it exceeds 226,000, thanks to the NRM’s guided leadership. Our children survive and thrive without dying from diseases that can be prevented.”
He explained that this population growth results directly from sustained peace and effective public services, noting that Uganda’s stability over the last four decades has enabled families to expand, plan ahead, and build better futures.
Central to his speech was the NRM’s commitment to equality. Museveni emphasized that the Movement opposes any discrimination based on culture, language, or identity, viewing inclusivity as essential for national unity.
“Please continue supporting the NRM with your votes, as you have done before, because we stand for equality,” he urged. “No one should be denied their language or rights. What benefits one community must benefit all.”
He pointed to the reinstatement of the Kabakaship as proof of honoring people’s wishes, arguing that recognizing cultural institutions bolsters rather than divides the nation.
On infrastructure, Museveni highlighted current and upcoming road projects, such as the Kikusa–Kazwama–Kalungi–Nakasongola road and the Rwampanga–Amolatar road. He stressed that better roads are vital for commerce, service access, and attracting investment, while mentioning a decline in land-grabbing incidents in the district.
Regarding social services, the President reviewed advancements in education and health while identifying areas for improvement. He announced upgrades for Batuusa HCII to HCIII in Kakooge and Kazwama HCII to HCIII in Kazwama, plus the construction of new HCIIIs in Migyera and Mayirikiti.
Museveni connected these investments to a national strategy for job creation focused on boosting household incomes. He promoted the Four-Acre Model as an effective approach for rural prosperity.
“Most jobs will emerge from four main areas: commercial agriculture, industry and crafts, services, and ICT,” he explained. “With proper planning, families can dedicate one acre to coffee, one to fruits, one to pasture for livestock, and one to food crops.”
He encouraged additional income sources like backyard poultry, piggery for non-Muslims, and fish farming near wetlands, while advising sustainable practices to prevent overexploitation.
“Even Namboole Stadium has limited seats,” Museveni noted. “The same goes for our fishing grounds—we must avoid overcrowding.”
In closing, the President reassured the crowd that the NRM’s development vision serves every community, including the Abaruuli.
“We will keep pushing forward so that all Ugandans, regardless of community, enjoy the fruits of development and equality,” he said.
Maama Janet Museveni reinforced the message by calling for strong voter turnout. “No one should remain at home on election day,” she declared. “Your vote is your contribution to building a better Uganda for tomorrow.”
Nakasongola District NRM Chairperson Christopher Nkoyoyo hailed the President’s visit as a major boost and detailed local gains from government initiatives. With a 2024 census population of 226,074, the district has received Shs 24.2 billion through the Parish Development Model, reaching 20,589 households—or 39.8 percent of residents.
Nkoyoyo added that Emyooga funding of Shs 1.68 billion has supported 36 SACCOs with 8,479 members for small businesses. Safe water coverage now reaches 74 percent of villages via piped systems, valley tanks, and solar-powered irrigation.
Additionally, 14 out of 15 sub-counties are connected to the electricity grid, with extension planned for Lwampanga Sub-County.While celebrating these achievements, Nkoyoyo flagged ongoing issues like land disputes and infrastructure needs, appealing for further government support to sustain progress.
The well-attended rally—featuring NRM Central Executive Committee members, MPs, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters—solidified the party’s campaign theme in Nakasongola: peace, equality, and strategic development as the foundation of Uganda’s ongoing transformation.
